Islamabad remains tense but calm

Published March 5, 2006

ISLAMABAD, March 4: The overall law and order situation remained tense but clam in the federal capital on Saturday during the visit of US President George W. Bush. According to law-enforcement agencies’ sources, security arrangements had never been so tighter in the capital.

It was expected that law and order situation would be created when opposition parties and NGOs staged rallies to protest against the visit of the US president. However, not a single rally was held, police sources said.

General public as well as the personnel of law-enforcement agencies seemed tensed due to extraordinary security measures, a police official told Dawn on condition of anonymity.

The law-enforcement agencies picked up Pakistan Tehrik-i- Insaf Chairman Imran Khan and put him under house arrest to keep him from staging a rally he had scheduled for Saturday to protest against President Bush’ visit.

Heavy contingents of army and police were deployed on Constitution Avenue which had already been declared a ‘red zone’ to restrict entry of general public.

Police parties were also seen at other main points in the capital including Faizabad, airport entry point, Zero Point, Kashmir Highway, Blue Area, Parade Ground and in the vicinity of two five-star hotels.

People faced hardships due to diversion of routes and strict checking of vehicles by the police.

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